Objective To evaluate the quality, content, and engagement of TikTok videos on laser refractive surgery (LRS) and to identify factors associated with higher educational quality using the DISCERN instrument. Methods and Analysis This cross‐sectional content analysis evaluated 240 English‐language TikTok videos related to LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE procedures, collected in January 2025 using a newly created account and popular LRS‐related hashtags. Videos were included if they had over 1000 views and primarily addressed LRS. Data extracted included video characteristics (duration, views, likes, comments, and shares), creator attributes (affiliation, degree, and profession), and content features (medical recommendations, treatment risks, alternatives, quality‐of‐life impact, and favorability toward surgery). Viewer engagement was calculated using the formula: Engagement = (likes + comments + shares ÷ views) × 100. Educational quality was assessed using the 15‐item DISCERN instrument (score range: 15–75). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t tests, chi‐square tests, and linear regression. Results Of 240 videos analyzed, 64.6% were rated poor or very poor in overall quality, and 0.4% contained potentially harmful misinformation. Videos that included medical recommendations (30.8%) were significantly longer ( = 106.3 vs. 51.4 s; p < 0.001) and scored higher on DISCERN ( = 40.9 vs. 33.1; p < 0.001). Independent creators produced higher quality content than for‐profit creators ( p = 0.002). Longer video duration was associated with higher DISCERN scores ( β = 4.74; p < 0.001) but not with engagement ( β = −27.86; p = 0.069). Conclusion TikTok videos related to LRS are widely viewed but often have limited educational value. Higher quality videos were more likely to include medical recommendations, be longer, and originate from independent or physician‐affiliated creators. Limitations include the use of a written‐material tool (DISCERN), single timepoint sampling, and restriction to English‐language content. Findings support the need for greater physician engagement and deliberate content creation on social media.
DeLuca et al. (Thu,) studied this question.